Sig Sauer Academy Range Shut Down After Stray Bullet Hits Vehicle

EPPING, NH — The New Hampshire State Police has shut down a shooting range at the Sig Sauer Academy in Epping after a stray bullet from the range reportedly struck a vehicle on Route 101 in April, according to a press statement. NHSP released its findings on June 26, 2017, after spending about two months investigating how a bullet hit a Hampton woman’s vehicle on the afternoon of April 11, while she was driving on Route 101 between Exits 8 and 7. At first, according to the report, the woman thought the windshield was hit by a rock and continued on her way to her destination.

The next day, she took the vehicle into Safelite Auto Glass in Tilton to have the damage assessed and repaired and it was there that techs realized it was a bullet that struck the vehicle, according to Lt. John Hennessey of Troop A.

“An investigation into this incident was conducted by Troop A Detectives,” he noted. “At the conclusion of the investigation, it was determined that the round that hit (her) windshield did more than likely come from the Sig Sauer Academy, which is located directly to the north of the location of the original incident. Though the investigation disclosed that rounds being fired from the ranges at the Sig Sauer Academy were falling out onto Route 101, the investigation verified that the round that collided with (her) windshield could not have been fired from a pistol at the time she was traveling on Route 101.”

As a result of the findings of the investigation, the ranges facing Route 101 at Sig Sauer have been shut down until a proper round retention system is installed, he noted. Hennessey added that after the investigation was completed, the findings were referred to the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office for review. It has been determined that no further law enforcement actions will ensue, he noted.

The Sig Sauer Academy did not return an email seeking comment.

Watch the company’s campus overview video below:

The facility offers both indoor and outdoor ranges as well as tactical training, self-defense classes, and real-world scenario training for law enforcement professionals and competition shooters. It is considered one of the premiere venues for training in the region.

A screenshot of the Sig Sauer Academy website.